Sejong Korean set meal for 2 with mains served early: Bapkkot Hansang

I'm a big fan of hanjeongsik, the Korean set meal with lots of side dishes. It turns out there's a place near Sejong Lake Park that does it properly. I wanted a stroll around the lake and a good meal, so I visited Bapkkot Hansang (밥꽃한상), a Sejong hanjeongsik favorite.

Bapkkot Hansang location and reservations: how to avoid a wait

Bapkkot Hansang sits close to Sejong Lake Park and Sejong Arboretum, so it's a nice spot to eat on an outing. It's also near the government complex, so at lunchtime it gets packed with office workers.

You might have to wait at busy lunch hours, so booking ahead on Naver is one way around it. I reserved on Naver beforehand and got in with no wait. The table was already set for us, which put me in a good mood.

3rd floor of Sejong Machi, underground parking

Head to the 3rd floor of Sejong Machi in Eojin-dong, Sejong, and you'll see the Bapkkot Hansang sign. Parking is underground, and they cover parking time when you eat here. Be sure to ask about parking registration when you pay.

What's the atmosphere inside Bapkkot Hansang?

Can a hanjeongsik restaurant really be this stylish? The clean, upscale interior makes the meal feel even more high-quality.

Food matters, of course, but I think the setting plays a big part in making mealtime enjoyable. On that front, Bapkkot Hansang in Eojin-dong, Sejong got full marks from me.

Bapkkot Hansang menu and prices

The signature Bapkkot Special is ₩25,000, and the single-dish rice bowls run from ₩11,000 to ₩15,000.

• Bapkkot Special ₩25,000
• Hanbang suyuk (herbal boiled pork) bowl ₩15,00 (as printed in the original)
• Minari tteokgalbi (water dropwort and grilled short rib patty) bowl ₩14,000
• Octopus-shrimp bowl ₩15,000
• Seafood japchae (glass noodle stir-fry) bowl ₩15,000
• Brisket japchae bowl ₩13,000
• Spicy pork japchae bowl ₩13,000
• Gangdoenjang (thick, rich soybean paste) bowl ₩11,000

The menu ranges from the generous Bapkkot Special for treating someone to quick single dishes for office workers nearby. Takeout is available too, so I think you could pack a meal for a picnic at the lake park or arboretum.

Bapkkot Special for 2: in what order does it come?

The Bapkkot Special starts with light dishes like salad, jeon (savory pancakes) and assorted seasoned sides, and once you've eaten a while, the main meal is set out. I wanted to enjoy Bapkkot Hansang's food slowly, so I ordered the Bapkkot Special for 2.

The food doesn't all arrive at once. The light things come first, and after you've eaten a bit, the main meal is brought out. If you want to eat a little sooner, you can ask.

You can tell from the look of it that the dishes use fresh, healthy ingredients. There were some unfamiliar ingredients, but they were so tasty that I kept reaching for more.

The food at Bapkkot Hansang reminded me once again not to be prejudiced about ingredients.

Ask for the main meal early and it comes right out

I asked for the Bapkkot Special's main meal a little early, and the staff kindly set it up right away. The side dishes for the main meal are generous too, right? There were so many kinds that I couldn't fit them all in one photo.

The main meal also looked delicious and healthy. A spread this hearty and neat seemed perfect for treating someone, and I felt Bapkkot Hansang would be even better with your parents.

How does the Bapkkot Special's main dish, tteokgalbi, taste?

The star of the Bapkkot Special, tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patty), was neither too salty nor too sweet: healthy but delicious. The look of it is impressive too, isn't it? Just seeing it made me want to dig in.

With so many side dishes plus thick, tasty tteokgalbi, there wasn't a single dish I didn't want to reach for.

Why the gangdoenjang and doenjang soup were the real kick

What really was the kick at Bapkkot Hansang was the gangdoenjang (thick soybean paste stew) and the doenjang soup. You know that delicious paste your family makes at home? It tasted exactly like that.

It's the kind of doenjang you'd enjoy no matter who you're eating with. Mixing the gangdoenjang into rice with the namul (seasoned vegetable) sides was a treat. I think it would go down well even when you have no appetite. Add the doenjang soup alongside the mixed rice and you have a meal with nothing left to envy.

If you're looking for a Sejong hanjeongsik place to go with your parents

If you're looking for a Sejong hanjeongsik favorite, a good restaurant near Sejong Lake Park, or a Sejong spot to visit with your parents, I recommend Bapkkot Hansang in Eojin-dong, Sejong. I hope you enjoy a filling, neat and healthy meal and have a lovely time.